An expanded joint effort between Allied Waste Services and the Menlo Park Chamber of Commerce will promote and emphasize recycling and composting by both attendees and vendors during Connoisseurs’ Marketplace, Menlo Park’s popular festival of the arts, July 19-20 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Santa Cruz Avenue.

“We’re fully committed to making the festival as eco-friendly as possible –– we’ve kicked our efforts up a notch and it’s a big priority for us,” said Fran Dehn, President/CEO of the Menlo Park Chamber of Commerce. “We’ve made it easier than ever and sincerely hope that festivalgoers and vendors will support our effort to conserve resources by recycling and composting.”

For the first time, food vendors will be required to use recyclable and compostable serving utensils. Large brown bins will be placed in the food areas for composting left-over food scraps including meat and bones, paper plates, cups, chopsticks, skewers and napkins. Food vendors will be provided with separate composting bins placed behind their booths.

This material will be collected and added to Allied Waste’s existing Commercial Composting collection program. “We’re excited and pleased to expand this program with the Chamber of Commerce,” said Elaine Sobouti, Recycling Coordinator for the city of Menlo Park. “The compostable items that we pull from this event will further help the city of Menlo Park in meeting the State’s mandated diversion efforts.”

Recycling is another major component of the “greening” effort. Containers will be positioned throughout the festival route for recycling of glass bottles, plastic bottles, and aluminum cans as well separate containers for cardboard and mixed paper.

The festival is also encouraging the use of public transportation and bicycles to minimize carbon emissions and reduce vehicular traffic. Downtown Menlo Park has more than 80 bicycle parking racks along Santa Cruz Avenue. The Caltrain/Samtrans station conveniently drops riders off one short block from the festival.

Allied Waste Services (formerly BFI) is the second largest vertically integrated solid waste management company in the industry which offers debris box, recycling and garbage services for residential and commercial customers. For additional information, please go to: http://www.alliedwastesanmateocounty.com.